Anderson 360 News Update: December 2016

Non-Profit of the Year: YALLA

YALLA was selected as my 38th Senate District Non-Profit of the Year. We held a special Senate resolution presentation for the organization recently, and it was so great to meet the staff and students of YALLA. YALLA is an organization that helps refugees and immigrant youth through mentoring and tutoring so they don’t fall behind in school even though English is not their first language.

YALLA gives them an opportunity to assimilate into our society, learn our culture, and become an American. YALLA has many programs to achieve their goal of easing the transition for the many refugee and immigrated children in our communities. According to YALLA’s website, elementary schools in our community have one of the largest percentages of English Language Learners in the entire state of California. YALLA helps by offering English instruction to not only the students but also to their parents as well through the New Beginnings program.

Through their College Bound program, YALLA encourages high school students to pursue higher education by offering information and guidance in the application process. YALLA is the only college preparatory program in California that uses soccer as a motivational tool for refugee and immigrant youth.

The soccer club is a way to teach the students about unity and teamwork. YALLA Soccer Club is a part of the California South State Association, which is affiliated with over 12,000 teams. For more information, you are welcome to visit YALLA’s website: http://yallasd.org/

Holiday Legislative Open House

Wednesday, December 7th will mark our 9th annual Holiday Legislative Open House. This free event is a place for all my constituents, their friends, and families to gather as well as an opportunity for me to meet you and learn how I can make government work for you. It is also a great place for you to meet your neighbors, other local elected officials, and community leaders to share ideas and holiday cheer. This community event would not be possible without the generous businesses, organizations, and individuals who donate their time and service to make the event extraordinary. A big thank you to Toyota of El Cajon for providing the venue and also to the vendors who bring delicious treats and fun to the open house. We would love to see you there next week! To RSVP, call my El Cajon District Office at (619) 596-3136 or visit the RSVP page at tinyurl.com/HLOH2016

Night of Recognition for San Diego Sabers’ Volunteers and Partners

It was a great honor attending the San Diego Sabers’ hockey game at the Ice-Plex in Escondido to perform the esteemed puck drop at the start of the game and honor volunteers and generous community partners.

The San Diego Sabers is a local minor league junior hockey team in Escondido. Going on their 9th season in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL), they are not only dedicated to their sport but also to the community that they serve. The Sabers have been very active in volunteering at local events, reading for elementary school students, and visiting sick children at hospitals.

Many unsung volunteers for the San Diego Sabers have gone to great lengths and have shared their time and talent for this team. From helping with sales and taking photos at games to even opening up their homes for players coming from out of town, this was their day to be recognized for all of their hard work and dedication. Their role at these games has contributed to a family-friendly and entertaining atmosphere that can be felt from players and fans alike. By presenting each volunteer with a Senate Certificate of Recognition, we wanted to make sure they know how much we appreciate them for their commitment and devotion to the betterment of the San Diego Sabers and our community.

The Sabers are currently holding 4th place in the Western Division with a (11-8-2) record and are scheduled to play in Las Vegas this weekend against the Las Vegas Storm for a 3 Game Road Series. I hope you’ll join me in cheering them on as they continue their journey to Championships!

By the way, our San Diego Sabers came back in the third period for an 8-6 win against the Fresno Monsters. It was an exciting game!

Do you know anyone applying for college? Check out this FAFSA checklist

Did you know that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) now requires your 2015 tax returns instead of your 2016 returns? With changes like these in this year’s FAFSA, the official blog of the U.S. Department of Education has released an informative and easy to understand article of the 7 things you need before you fill out your 2016-2017 FAFSA application. Read the article here:http://blog.ed.gov/2016/09/7-things-need-before-fill-out-fafsa/

Cal Competes Tax Credit Workshops

The California Competes Tax Credit is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. I am pleased to co-host several workshops with Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to connect you with the resources you need to apply for this credit. Here are the three workshops in my district:

California Senate Fellows now accepting applications

The California Senate Fellows Program is currently accepting applications, and the deadline is February 13, 2017. This program was established with the intent of giving insight into the world of the legislative process. To meet the requirements of application, you must be 20 years of age by the application deadline and must be a graduate of a four year college or university. For more information visit: http://sfela.senate.ca.gov/